Doug Francis | Realtor

  • Our Business
  • About Me
  • Sell Your Home
  • First Contact

The Steel I-Beam Arrives

December 9, 2013 By Doug Francis

Fourth in the 2014 Vienna House Project Series

Craftsman Home Vienna VA

Steel carries the load!

It is exciting when the steel arrives at a new house.

This is typical construction here in Vienna VA real estate construction to have a series of I-beams (some may say a W-beam) carry the load of the joists in the house. The steel fits into designed pockets in the concrete foundation and are supported by steel columns which stand on concrete footers in the floor of the basement. It’s all according to plan where these baby’s are going to go, so, if you are working with an architect on your new custom home then remember to make sure the columns aren’t in the middle of your cool new billiard room.

engineered joistWhen we are finished with this house, come back to this blog post and take a look at these photos (or see the photo story on Google).

The steel beams will be placed into the pockets in the concrete foundation and then attached to the steel support columns. Once these are properly bolted together and joined, the engineered wood joists will be laid in place. A band-board goes around the top of the foundation enclosing the joists.

These joists are designed to carry extreme loads over long spans and 99% of builders in Vienna use them. This technology allows modern homes to have those wide open spaces.

Carpenters prepare joists and deckingIt always amazes me when the “framers” show up and start to stick-build the house. Their work pace is rapid as they follow a carefully scripted plan of laying in the steel, adding the joists and then starting to frame the first floor walls. Although the tools and engineered material they use is high-tech, everything is still laid in place by hand after some onsite measuring and then secured together.

joists lay on steel I-Beam

Joist meet at steel I-beam

Most home building is still done on site, by hand, with a ton of sweat!

Now, as I may have mentioned before, my clients are relocating to Vienna so they aren’t here to check on things. And that’s actually how I got the idea for this construction series because I was sending them photos with brief descriptions. Since they thought it was cool seeing the progress that’s when I asked if it was okay to blog about it. What do you think?

basement in Vienna custom home

Starting to look like a room

The rest is history

In the end this won’t be another craftsman style home, but a custom home that will appeal to the market with a timeless look.

Over the next couple of blog posts you are going to see this house really take shape and look… look like a house! And over the next few months I will cover the inside finishing details and much more.

And, if I am missing something, then ask!


See More Photos!

Are you interested in seeing more photos on Google? As the project continues I am updating a Google page with a ton of photos so take a look to see where everything started and where the project is today.

Share this with a friend...Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedInPin on PinterestEmail this to someone

Filed Under: Blog, House Project 2014 Tagged With: real estate, Vienna Virginia

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Helping my clients add value to their home has always been important to me. My step-by-step recommendations are intended to increase market appeal, return more then invested, and help net more when selling.

Beyond just sellers, I have helped many new homeowners make smart design decisions when remodeling. We gutted our house and totally remodeled it, and I pass that experience along because living in a nice house is simply better.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Questions? Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

Filmed in Vienna and McLean

https://youtu.be/ClqEIV1zoQg
Viva Vienna Vienna Idol event on the Town Green sponsored by Caffe Amouri

The Vienna Town Green

The Town Green in Vienna, Virginia is located where Maple Avenue intersects the W&OD Bike Trail and Mill Street. The Town

Thinking of Moving?

If you want to talk about your house and getting it ready for the market then let's set up a time to talk. Even if it's a second opinion, it's okay. Start here.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Have a question?

Homeowners: Add a level of privacy

name withheld by request

Privacy: Remove your name

Looking for testimonials?

Read through a collection of client comments originally posted on Zillow, Google and Trulia. See what my clients say...

Looking for a Custom Home?

Insights into New Homes in Vienna VA
Time to Down size to a retirement home

Transitioning Into Retirement | Your Real Estate Plan

Maybe it was the gray hair, the years of experience, or just being in my late 50’s that helped introduce me to clients who are transitioning into retirement and are downsizing. The baby-boomer retirement plan was accelerated by “Covid-19” as long time owners found the old house was just too big. The retirement dream became […]

“Doug nailed it! Within days, we had three offers, one of which not only met, but far exceeded all of our goals.”
– R. Pollard

“He truly was a partner integrating us unto the community and made it easy for us to take advantage of all Vienna has to offer.”
– A. D’Eredita

“We are so thankful we found Doug to guide us through the complex home selling and buying processes!”
– Scott and Jennie

About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2022 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

Search for a subject

Contact

Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
Why do people hire me?

Search for homes in Vienna

Vienna Real Estate Guide

Doug Francis Vienna Real Estate 2021
This material can only be used with written permission.

Equal Housing Opportunity

 

Copyright © 2022 · Minimum Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in